The Hardy Herald Week 28
March 29, 2021
Important Dates and Updates
3/29- 4th Grade STAR Reading Assessment
3/30- 4th Grade STAR Math Assessment
4/2 - 4/9- All schools and offices closed for Spring Break
4/12- All schools and offices open
4/21- Military "Purple Up" Day
4/22- IWCS School Board Meeting
4/23- Report Cards Distributed
Irish American Appreciation Month
On Wednesday, March 17, we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. Take some time to reflect on the achievements of Irish-Americans and their descendants here in America.
Read the White House proclamation honoring Irish-American Heritage Month. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/01/a-proclamation-on-irish-american-heritage-month-2021/
IWCS honors students, staff and community members who are Irish-Americans or descendants. Thank you for sharing your heritage with us.
Did You Know?
30.4 million or 9.2%- The number/percentage of U.S. residents who claimed Irish ancestry in 2019.
111,886- The number of foreign-born U.S. residents who reported Ireland as their birthplace in 2019.
438,350- The number of people living in Cook County, Ill., who claimed Irish ancestry in 2019, the largest of any county in the nation.
Source: 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates
Celebration of Women's Empowerment
Mrs. Hoffstaetter was the recipient of the Inspirational Woman Award. The comments from her parent and student are as follows:
- Mrs. Hoffstaetter- Mrs. Hoffstaetter is the best! She goes above and beyond for her students, not only academically by challenging her students and helping them reach their full potential, but also making sure that throughout this new normal living of a pandemic, she makes sure her students and parents too are mentally ok! She loves her kiddos, she reaches out, she checks in, she responds promptly, and more importantly she makes virtual learning so fun for the kids (and the parents assisting too)! She truly set the bar and we are so thankful to have her as our daughter's teacher! -Julie Douglas -- mom
- Mrs. Hoffstaetter is super nice and kind and she helped me learn to read and helped me. with my math, and she's very energetic! She makes doing school from home fun! Dalaynie Douglas -- current student
Mrs. Pressley was the recipient of the Sense of Belonging Teacher Award. The comments from her parent and students are as follows:
Mrs. Pressley- I am nominating Mrs. Pressley for the Sense of Belonging Teacher award because she exemplifies the criteria characteristics and then some. Mrs. Pressley moved as HES’s Instructional Coach to a classroom when IWCS allowed for track change from virtual to in-person. Mrs. Pressley immediately created a classroom environment that was inviting for her returning third graders while adhering to the COVID mitigation procedures. She goes that extra mile from the daily morning huddle in which a student names a person that the class will dedicate their learning to until the afternoon huddle where the students reflect on their day and how they are feeling. Conflict resolution is seamlessly a part of her programming as she empowers her students with tools that will enable them to be confident, resilient, and positive thinkers. She allows for each student to feel like they belong to their classroom community while meeting diverse individual needs. Mrs. Pressley defines what this award is for.
CONGRATULATIONS LADIES!!
Parent Information about P-EBT (Pandemic-EBT)
Orion Brown's Japanese Garden and Tea House
Cool Interactive Tool for Parents and Covid Guidance
Hardy Parents,
Check out the new resource below for parents. This can be done from your smartphone or computer and it would help with the decision making for sending your child to school. Click on the link below:
https://schoolnursenet.nasn.org/covid19ref/featured-content/interactive-send-student-school
Spring Break Camp
Easter Camp
March/ April Lunch Menu
Should I Keep my Child at Home?
We wanted to take this time to remind you about the symptoms related to COVID-19. We've updated the daily home screening document and included all the symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) related to COVID-19. The new document is attached to this message.
Parents are urged to keep their children at home if a child is showing one or more of any of these symptoms. The goal is for our students to come to school on the in-person continuum, but this will only be achieved if individuals who are sick stay home and avoid contact with others. This includes students living in the household with individuals who are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms on the daily home screening. Again, our goal is to help protect our community and school by staying home when we are sick. Please email your child's teacher and Nurse Cowan at ncowan@iwcs.k12.va.us if your is sick and will not be in school.
Thank you for keeping our schools safe!
2021 – 2022 Learning Center Preschool Program
WHRO WRITING CONTEST
Meal Distribution Reminder
Isle of Wight County Schools has been granted the ability to continue distributing free meals to all students, regardless of financial situation. The division will distribute free meals to families on Fridays at three locations—Georgie Tyler Middle School in Windsor, Smithfield High School, and Carrsville Elementary. Meals can be picked up from 10:00am to 2:00pm at all three locations. Parents will receive 5 days-worth of breakfasts and lunches for each child.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday at SHS, GTMS, or Carrsville Elementary.
Ongoing Reminders
- MASKS ARE REQUIRED for all adults and students 5 years and up.
- Visitors will not be allowed in the building without a mask AND and Identification.
- If you would like to schedule counseling sessions with our AMAZING School Counselor, please complete the form here. The form is also listed below under the heading Hardy Elementary School Counseling Form. Sessions are held via zoom or in-person for hybrid students.
School hours are 8:25 AM -3:30 PM. Students can arrive starting at 8:25 AM. Students may not be dropped off prior to 8:25 AM. If you bring your child to school after 8:55 AM, you must escort them inside to the office and complete a tardy slip.
Please see nurse Nancy Cowan for prescription medicine intake. All medicine must be accompanied by a parent and include a physician’s prescription. Students are not allowed to transport medicine to school.
Breakfast is served in the classroom starting at 8:25 AM each morning.
PTA Information
Hello Hardy Families!
With our new year at Hardy Elementary, PTA membership enrollment is now open! This year, membership enrollment is available online and drastically discounted! The price this year to join is only $3.75 per person! Follow the link or visit the Member Hub store and join the PTA today! https://hardymustangs.new.memberhub.store/store
Hardy Elementary School Counselor Corner
Remind Notification App
Are you receiving the most up to date school information and notifications from administration and teachers? The Remind app allows you to stay on top of what’s happening at school and in the classroom. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you can receive important school updates right on your phone. Click here to sign up with the Hardy Elementary school code.
Hardy Construction Tracking Plan
Timeline:
- November 2020--January 2021: Architects complete building design; Value Engineering takes place
- February 2021: Code review for project; Value Engineering comments addressed
- June 2021*: Resubmit plan to Building Official; CONSTRUCTION BEGINS!
- Construction updates and photos will be posted monthly
- December 2022: FINAL COMPLETION!
*The date for the start of construction has moved from March to June because of an addendum to the Request for Proposal (RFQ). Groundbreaking will begin in June. The delay does NOT impact the Final Completion date.
Attendance for All Students
Parents,
We wanted to take this opportunity to remind everyone about the attendance process for students participating in the A/B Hybrid Model or in 100% Virtual Learning. In response to the changes with in-person learning, attendance procedures were modified this year to support the different learning models.
For A/B Hybrid Students:
- Days students are scheduled to be in school (synchronous days)--Students need to physically be in the classroom to be marked "Present" If they are absent, they should bring a note from a parent or a health care provider when they return to school.
- Days students are learning from home (asynchronous days)--Students are marked "Present" when work assigned for that day is complete. Student work turned in within 5 days of the due date will be used to demonstrate attendance. If there is no assignment for a class on an asynchronous day, the student would be considered "Present" for class on that day.
For 100% Virtual Students:
- Days students are scheduled to Zoom for class (synchronous days)--There are several ways students may be counted present:
- Students need to participate in the Live Zoom session to be marked "Present."
- Students unable to participate in the Live Zoom but turn in the assigned work within five days will be marked "Present."
- Students absent from a Live Zoom, and no work is assigned that day, may have the absence excused with a note from the parent.
- Days students are not on Zoom (asynchronous days)--Students are marked "Present" when work assigned for that day is complete. Student work turned in within 5 days of the due date will be used to demonstrate attendance. If there is no assignment for a class on an asynchronous day, the student would be considered "Present" for class on that day.
We realize the attendance procedure is more complex this year than during a traditional school year. However, the modifications allow flexibility for students and also address concerns for students who are unable to participate in live Zoom sessions for virtual learning. Students are held accountable for their work and we need your assistance to make sure they are completing their assignments. Teachers and principals will be reaching out to parents regarding missing grades and discussing strategies for improvement. Please take advantage of the PowerSchool Parent Portal for checking on your child's grades on a regular basis.
This year is certainly presenting many challenges for everyone. In spite of the unusual situation, our goal is to keep students on track with their learning. I am confident that we can accomplish this by all of us working together. Thank you for your continued support of your child's education during these challenging times.
Director of Community and Media Relations
Isle of Wight County Schools
820 W. Main St.
Smithfield, VA 23430
757-365-1611 (o)
757-603-1904 (c)
Daily Home Screening
We wanted to take this time to remind you about the symptoms related to COVID-19. We've updated the daily home screening document and included all the symptoms identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) related to COVID-19. The new document is attached to this message.
Parents are urged to keep their children at home if a child is showing any of these symptoms. The goal for Isle of Wight County Schools is to bring more students back into our buildings as soon as possible, but that will only be successful if individuals who are sick stay home and avoid contact with others.
Help protect your community and your school by staying home when you are sick.
Thank you for keeping our schools safe!
Hardy Elementary School
Website: http://hes.iwcs.k12.va.us/
Location: 9311 Hardy Circle, Smithfield, VA, United States
Phone: 757-357-3204
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IsleofWighCountySchools/
Twitter: @HardyElementary